ARB as the Implementing Agency for the Lower-Emission School Bus Program

This page last reviewed April 15, 2010

Program Overview

The primary goal of the ARB's Lower-Emission School Bus Program is to reduce school children's exposure to both cancer-causing and smog-forming pollution. The program provides grant funding for new, safer school buses and to put air pollution control equipment (i.e., retrofit devices) on buses that are already on the road.

The Air Resources Board is acting as the implementing agency for 16 local air pollution control and air quality management districts. If your school district, joint powers authority, or private transportation contractor (provides transportation to public schools), operates in one of these 16 air districts, then you would apply for funding directly to the ARB, not your local air district.

ARB is the implementing agency for the following air districts: Amador, Antelope, Colusa, Feather River, Imperial, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Mojave, Northern Sonoma, Placer, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Siskiyou, and Tehama.

The ARB has contracted with ICF International to assist with implementation effort on behalf of these 16 air districts.  

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Project Information

ARB Release of Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Associated Documents

The ARB released the NOFA on September 8, 2008, to solicit new purchase and retrofit projects of school buses within the 16 air districts listed above. The NOFA is applicable to school districts, JPA's, and private contractors that provide transportation to public schools.  ARB received over 850 project applications requesting approximately $36 million.

Assistance

Current Status

ARB has received funding to replace all eligible pre-1977 model years school buses remaining in the 16 air districts.

Further Information

For additional information, please call:

Mobile Source Program

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